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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
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Dunkin’ Donuts Entering Valley

Ten Dunkin’ Donuts locations are being planned for the San Fernando Valley over the next several years as the East Coast baked goods and coffee retailer begins its Southern California expansion. Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. of Canton, Mass. will expand in the area through a franchise agreement with San Fernando Valley businessman Aharon Aminpour, who will develop the properties, said Steve Rafferty, senior director of franchising at Dunkin’ Donuts. “We rely on our franchise partners to help us grow the brand,” Rafferty said, noting that nearly 100 percent of the company’s shops are franchised. The cities and exact locations will be announced as the real estate becomes available. The first is expected to open next year. Aminpour is a local businessman who founded automotive repair companies, 818 Auto Body Inc. of Sherman Oaks and The Chip Experts Inc. of Pasadena. He also has a background in restaurants and real estate development, a key reason he was selected to be a franchisee, Rafferty said. Aminpour was not immediately available for comment. Dunkin’ Donuts requires franchisees to finance and build out their own stores, typically at a cost of $500,000 to $1.2 million, Rafferty said. Each franchise pays weekly royalty fees to the parent company. Dunkin’ Donuts also said this week it would open 10 stores in Orange County as part of an expansion into California announced in January 2013. Currently, there are only three stores in the state in San Diego, Barstow and near Camp Pendleton. The company plans to open 150 stores over the next several years but ultimately believes the California market could sustain more than 1,000. In the United States, most shops are in the Northeast but the company operates some 11,000 restaurants worldwide in 33 countries.

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